December 10, 2016 : Issue #863

• FDA Approves 2 New Diabetes Combos
• Low-dose Aspirin for Type 2 Patients?
• Liraglutide Reduces Albuminuria in Patients With Diabetes
• Mexicans have Increased Risk for Mortality If Diagnosed with Diabetes
• ADA, EASD Joint Statement on Hypoglycemia
• Exclusive Interview with Dr. Richard Bergenstal: the Hybrid Closed-Loop System
  • Read transcript  |  View video
• In case you missed it: Benefits of Combining SGLT-2 Inhibitors to Insulin

Over the years Steve and I have reviewed many PowerPoint presentations on diabetes, and we have published quite a few of these ourselves. Whenever the presentation explained how type 2 diabetes developed, there was always a slide showing increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin production. Wherever these 2 lines crossed, the diagnosis of diabetes was acknowledged. I would venture a guess that anyone who has ever seen a diabetes presentation would recognize the slides from the International Diabetes Center in Minnesota.

This week our publisher begins a two-part interview with Dr. Richard Bergenstal as he discusses the future of diabetes care using a hybrid closed loop system.

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We can make a difference!

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Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief

How comfortable are you in recommending the combination of a GLP-1 receptor agonist along with glargine insulin?
1- Very comfortable
2- Slightly comfortable
3- Neutral
4- Slightly uncomfortable
5- Very uncomfortable at this time

Follow the link to share your response and see what your colleagues think!

NovoNordisk announced they have submitted semaglutide, their once-weekly GLP-1, to the FDA for approval. This would be the fourth once-weekly GLP-1 on the market. (See Item #5)

The recommendations were published earlier this year in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, presenting comprehensive, practical guidance for improving insulin delivery in everyday practice. Proper injection technique is critical to achieve better clinical outcomes such as a reduction of HbA1c and glycemic variability. Proper injection technique may be as important as the dose of insulin; if the injection is done incorrectly, even the correct type and dose of insulin may not work effectively. Health care professionals have a crucial role in providing education on the proper use of such therapies. Until this publication, few formal guidelines provide practical recommendations on best practice in insulin delivery. The goals of these recommendations are not only to provide practical guidance and fill an important gap in diabetes management, but to also help ensure comfortable and effective injections and infusions free of complications, as well as improve patient outcomes when implemented in practice. Click here for what you need to know about best methods for insulin injections.

Please select the drug class that best fits the description.
This injectable drug class leads to increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion and slowed gastric emptying. One of its advantages is that its use can lead to weight loss:
1. DPP-4 inhibitors
2. GLP-1 receptor agonists
3. Dopamine-2 Agonists
4. SGLT-2 Inhibitors

Did you get it right? Follow the link to find out!

Almost two-thirds of people with diabetes don’t get annual eye exams, despite having an increased risk for serious eye disease and vision loss, researchers say.  Having a dilated eye exam yearly or more often can prevent 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss, the study authors said. The study included information from nearly 2,000 people age 40 and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that 58 percent didn’t have regular follow-up eye exams. Smokers were 20 percent less likely to have regular eye exams. People with less severe disease and no eye problems were the least likely to get their eyes checked each year, according to the report. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were 30 percent more likely to have regular eye exams, the study authors said. Diabetic retinopathy involves changes to blood vessels in the retina that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, distorting vision. It’s the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. American Academy of Ophthalmology, news release, October 2016

IDegLira, LixiLan go head-to-head; FDA approves Novo Nordisk’s Xultophy and Sanofi’s Soliqua on the same day.

Therapy shows neutral CV benefit, increases bleeding risk in type 2 diabetes.

Study finds treatment on top of stable renin angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibition decreased risk.

Study shows death rate more than five times higher than in those without the disease.

Organizations publish recommendations for identifying and reporting hypoglycemia in clinical studies.

Transcript: Dr. Richard Bergenstal, endocrinologist and an executive director of the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet, discusses hybrid closed-loop technology.

Video: Diabetes in Control Publisher Steve Freed talks with Dr. Richard Bergenstal about his work on the hybrid closed-loop system, the first of its kind to be awarded approval by the FDA.

Quote of the Week!

“Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.”

…Dale Carnegie

Your Friends in Diabetes Care
Steve and Dave
Diabetes In Control
810 Bear Tavern Road Suite 102
Ewing, NJ, 08628
USA
www.diabetesincontrol.com